Kathy Stilwell Race Lends Perspective

Friends from as far as Hawaii, California and Oklahoma are coming to visit Kathy Stilwell on Saturday. It's that time of year.

In its sixth running, the Kathy Stilwell Lake to Lake 5K provides her the rare opportunity to see friends with whom she has lost touch. And an opportunity to make new friends.

''People read about (this race) and come out and run for her,'' said Bud Seaman, longtime friend and the driving force behind the inception of this event. ''One year might have been their first, and then they bring a friend. I didn't think it would grow to be this big.''

Stilwell, who graduated from Evans High School in 1973, was diagnosed with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis in 1982. It was a tough blow for a woman who had competed in sports through high school and college before going on to play softball with the Orlando Rebels and professionally with the Connecticut Falcons.

In an effort to help offset her medical expenses Seaman conceived the idea for the race.

The first year, Seaman and Jon Hughes, with whom she worked, thought they'd get no more than 400 runners. Some 750 came out. They ran out of race numbers. This year, an estimated 1,200 runners/walkers/well-wishers are expected to come out for Stilwell.

Stilwell may be bedridden most of the time, but her smile and spirit are very much alive.

''When they come to see me, I know they're coming because they love me,'' Stilwell said. ''And I love them, so much it's not funny.''

Seaman said that through the years Stilwell's presence at the race has shown people they should be grateful.

''She will never run, never walk, again,'' Seaman said. ''She teaches people not to take life and body and health for granted.''